St Francis Xavier Cathedral

~ The Auxiliary's Objectives ~

1. To assist in the development of Christian;
2. To develop outreach programs, visit the sick, and care for the needy;
3. To assist with Parish activities.

~ Motto ~

The motto of the Auxiliary is "Women Serving God, the Church and the Community."  

~ The History of the Ladies Auxiliary Ministry ~

In 1950, the late Amy Burnside (mother of Ruth Burnside-Symonette) of Delancy Street visited Miami, Florida where she was introduced to a group of Catholic Women who served the church as their main function, assisting in every area possible.

Mrs. Burnside was so impressed that she brought the idea home to her Cathedral Parish of St. Francis Xavier. She formed a similar group which adopted the name SODALITY. The sodality made its first appearance at the Annual May Procession where they wore all white.

The purpose of the group is to encourage Catholic Women to be of service to the Church, the community and to be witnesses of God and the Catholic faith. St. Francis Xavier Auxiliary is the oldest group in the Diocese.

Nurse Monica Davis was the group's President who was assisted by the youngest member of the group by the name Blanche Butler. Later the group changed its name from Sodality to the Ladies Guild, a name they carried  for many years. It should be noted that Nurse Monica Davis served the Guild for 32 years.

The group assisted in forming similar groups at sister parishes in Nassau. The guild attended monthly masses, held regular meetings and assisted with taking care of the altar, church grounds and bazaars by hosting cake sales, cook-outs, Lenten and other seasonal tea parties and fashion shows.

The Ladies Guild creates yearly calendars for church visitation and fellowship. Each month the Guild visits a sister Parish starting with the mother church St. Francis Xavier in January.

~ Membership ~

Membership in the Auxiliary is open to females members of the Parish who are eighteen (18) years and older.

It was about the year 1940, when Masses at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral were mainly filled with tourists. The Sunday Masses at that time, were held at 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. for parishioners like the late Mrs. Theresa Ramsay, mother of Sylvester and Ora Ramsay, and the hotel workers. The 8:30 a.m. Mass was for the youth.

There was no 7:00 p.m. Mass but instead a Holy Hour service was held. This was when the entire congregation participated in Latin Masses and Gregorian Chants.It was at this time, when the late Rev. Fr. Brendan Forsythe, O.S.B.., formed his all male choir, and featured a soloist, Mrs. Darcy Ryan, who song at the 8:30 a.m. Mass and at the 7:00 p.m. Holy Hour service on Sundays.

Patsy - the first female to join a church choir in the Bahamas

In 1946, the audience attending one of St. Francis School's play, under the direction of Sr. Regina Michael, a young lady by the name of Patricia Wallece (now Dean) held the audience spellbound with her beautiful soprano voice as she sang the "Ave Maria".

Fr. Brendan invited her to do a repeat performance at the Christmas Mass, "Pet/Patsy",as she was called, felt honored and appreciated. She became the "first" female to join a church choir in The Bahamas at the age of 15. 

Patsy remained at St. Francisuntil 1953, singing with persons like Leornard "Skinny" Archer, Baldwin Symonette and John E. Bonamy, Msgr. Preston Mos, Andrew Curry, Cyril Baker, Godfrey Basden, brothers James and Maxwell Thompson, Charles, Linus and Blaise Austin, John, Jerome and Anthony Dean, Wilbur and Clifford Cooper, Vincent Roberts, Henry Ferguson, Lawrence Davis, Eugene Newry, Roland Maura, Charles Roker, Earl Thompson and Charles Sweeting.

They practiced every Sunday before the 7:00 p.m. service under the direction of Fr. Brendan. In those days, choir members wore black cassocks and white tunics, as those worn by the senior altar boys of today. Although Patsy may have been the first lady to be a member of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir, there were a few others, who made guest appearances at special services and at Chirstmas, at the invitation of Fr. Brendan. Ms. Betty Cole and her group of girls come to mind, with their singing of "Silent Night, Holy Night."

Mr. Curry (deceased), took over the choir in 1961, when he returned from his studies in the United States.

It was, however, after Christmas Service of 1962, that it was suggested to Mr. Curry, that the all male choir should be opened up to the ladies in orderto have some lighter voices. He agreed and in early January 1963, the invitation went out and many ladies joined.

Some of the original ladies were Maime Maura, Eloise Archaer, Agatha (Gibson) Rodgers, Dorothy Taylor, Lynn (Gibson) Curry, (wife of the director) and Gloria (young) Gomez al altos. The sopranos included Thelma (Barnett) Grimes, Peggy Benson, Jenniffer Davis, Rose (Gibson) Ferguson, Caroline Johnson (deceased), Altemese (Lightbourne) Hanna, Eugenie McWeeney, (now Lady Nuttal), Tony Mosely and Paula (Ramsey) Carrey.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Senior Choir of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, please contact Mr. Andrew Curry or any member of the choir whose names appear on the back of the brochure.

Introduction

The Children's Choir was started because of the need to develop the children of our Church in positive ways, to make a contribution to our society and because of the need to provide opportunities for them to grow and develop their talents.

Mission

Our goal is to provide  a group music experience which will teach the children the importance of music as a ministry in the Church. It is designed to help the children to develop musical skills and appreciation and to develop the discipline necessary to conduct themselves in a manner that is exemplary. It also seeks to mold them into productive members of the Catholic community and to the society as a whole.

Ages and Skills Level

• The age guideline for participation is approximately six (6) years or as soon as the child is able to read and to sit through a Mass without interruptions.
• There is no age limit.
• The choir welcomes all unchanged voices from six.
• No prior choir experience is necessary.
• No auditions are held.
• All are encouraged to attend.
• The only requirement is that each child must be a member of the C.C.D. Programme.

A willingness to make a joyful noise is expected.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals take place one per week.
The allotted time for the rehearsal is on Friday from 6 to 7:30 pm. This time may change periodically. Whenever this happens, parents will be notified of the change. Regular participation at ,asses is expected.

Our  Mission:

Spreading the Good News of The Gospel in Song.

"Oh Magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt this name forever". 

Our Purpose:

To be used as instruments to bring solace and inspiration to the hearts of all who hear.
To God Be The Glory, Great things He Has Done!

Background of St. Francis Junior Choir

St. Francis Junior Choir was born in 1973 by Sister Joan Anderson and Mrs. Gloria Simms, both of whom were teachers of St. Francis School on the Priory Grounds.
One year later, Mr. Francis Richardson took the reigns of the choir and has unselfishly served as the Choir Director from then to the present.

The Choir spreads the gospel in song each Sunday morning at St. Francis Francis Xavier Cathedral during the 8:30 am Mass.
The junior consists of 30 voices and 6 musicians. The Choir's repertoire ranges from Religious / Sacred, Negro Spirituals, Gospel and Caribbean music.

The Junior Choir's outreach music ministry provides an opportunity for the Choir to minister in song locally and internationally.

The Junior Choir has conducted workshops throughout the Family Islands of the Bahamas including: Andros, Eleuthera, Long Island, Abaco, Bimini, San Salvador, Cat Island and Grand Bahamas. The Junior Choir has also visited and conducted choir workshop in various cities in the USA.

Some of the noteworthy accomplishments of the group include:

• August 7th 1992 - Mayor Kurk L.K. Schmoke, former Mayor of the city of Batmore, presented the Choir with a Proclamation declaring August 7th a "St. Francis Junior Choir Day" in the city of Baltimore.
  
  
• January, 1998 - Under the Direction of Mr. Francis Richardson, the Choir received a "DANSA Award" for Musical Direction.
  
  
• July 21st 1998 - During a travel workshop to Baltimore, Maryland, a midst some 25,000 fans, the Choir sang the American National Anthem at the opening ot the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Season.